Belinda would boast to her colleagues how proud she was that her spouse didn’t have to work. She earned enough for the family and they lived well. Once the children were in full day school, that song changed. Her family company was bought out and staff redundancy planning was well underway. Belinda’s encouragement of her husband to find full time employment was falling on deaf ears. The chasm between her needing him to find suitable work to help support the family and his feeling entitled to continue to be a stay at home spouse continued to grow. Five years on, Belinda decided to separate.http://ow.ly/u7nY0

There’s no question that older adults after decades of marriage are saying “enough!” The oft reported statistics, locally and internationally, show that this demographic group of Baby Boomers (you know who you are!) have the highest rate of separation and divorce.

While it may be shocking to think of a couple who’s seen as the pillar of the community or the grandparents of the neighbourhood separating, they are just like everyone else. If the relationship is no longer working for either of them, it may be time to move on. Or not?

Valuations are an important part of resolving property and support issues in a family law matter. Assets subject to being valued include the matrimonial homes, family businesses, hobby farms, and securities held in investment portfolios. An income stream from investments, rental properties, and family business are also common sources from which support obligations are paid.

The relevant family law legislation does not define the term ‘value’. Courts have relied, in most cases, on the definition of fair market value of an asset.http://ow.ly/t5irE

Have you ever been on a crowded bus or tram and witnessed a disturbance? Did you feel for the victim? Or were you encouraged by the actions of the tormenter? Feeling uncomfortable as a witness unable to leave the situation until the doors opened at the next stop?

Imagine how many extra layers of feelings, alliances, emotions, and other distractions are clouding your focus which held your undivided attention before the disturbance began. Did you forget your train of thought? For how long were you engaged in the distraction from what you were doing?http://ow.ly/t5c2m

Today’s family law negotiations are all about the numbers. The value of assets, the amount of support, and the cost of living. The numbers tell who will receive how much, directs us to consider tax considerations, and the timing of the payments.http://ow.ly/sAmTI